Prestressed articulated piling for marine foundations and the like



Sept 1% E. G. PAULET 3,20&2

PRESTRESSED ARTICULATED FILING FOR MARINE FOUNDATIONS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 11, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l EMILE G. PAULET INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Sept 28, 1965 E. G. PAULET PRESTRESSED ARTICULA'IED PILING FOR MARINE FOUNDATIONS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 11, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v fmm EE PA T INVENTOR- ATTORY 3,208,228 PRESTRESSED ARTICULATED PILING FOR MARINE FOUNDATIONS AND THE LIKE Emile G. Paulet, Caracas, Venezuela, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Esso Production Research Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dee. II, 1961, Ser. No. 158,301 4 Claims. (Cl. 61-56) This invention relates to marine foundations. More particularly, it relates to an articulated joint for use in marine foundations.

Prestressed concrete marine foundations typically include piling driven into the ocean floor and extending above the water level to support a horizontal foundation or platform for carrying on oil well drilling and/or producing operations. In many instances it is structurally desirable to have inclined piling, i.e., piling angularly disposed from a lower base upwardly and inwardly to the surface platform. In some instances the structures have been precast at a desired and fixed angle or direction relative to the other structural members. In other instances, batter piling is used. In this latter example, the piling is driven at a desired angle by modifying Well known pile driving equipment, which normally operates vertically, to the desired angle. In some marine locations it is possible to force the piling through an unconsolidated sediment layer of the ocean or lake by applying weights to the piling, until a load bearing shelf is encountered. The driving of batter piling by the dead weight method becomes virtually impossible.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide marine foundation which overcomes the problems associated with prior construction methods and apparatus.

It is an overall object of this invention to provide a pivotal ball and socket type of marine foundation which can be originally driven plumb into the ocean bottom and thereafter articulated to any desired angular position with respect to other articulated piling for supporting a platform above the surface of the water.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an articulated joint for particular use in supporting marine foundations in which means is provided to lock the articulated joint in a desired position and further permits prestressing the members at the articulation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pivotal joint for marine foundations which, upon being fixed at a desired angle, will resist longitudinal and bending loads encountered in marine applications.

A further object of this invention is to provide an articulated marine foundation which can be easily assembled and disassembled for use elsewhere.

Another object of this invention is to provide articulation means between structural members which is a part of the structural members or is a separate means between the structural members.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon further reading of the specification and claims when taken in conjunction with the following illustrations of which:

FIGURES 1 and 2 are partial sectional views of prestressing articulated joints according to this invention.

FIGURES 3 and 4 are elevational views of typical marine foundations utilizing the prestressing articulated joint of this invention.

FIGURES 5 and 6 represent top plan views of FIG- URES 3 and 4 respectively.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 3.

Description Referring now to FIGURE 1, structural members are described where the articulation is formed as a part of Patet the adjacent members. A lower cylindrical precast concrete pile member 10 including a hollow interior portion 12 is adapted, in a well known manner, to be driven or extended vertically into the soil bottom of an ocean, or lake. The upper portion of the lower pile member 10 terminates with semi-spherical curvature 14. The upper portion of the piling 10 is of solid construction except for a vertical opening 16 which joins with an upwardly and outwardly curved opening 18 at its upper end. Opening 18 forms a relatively smooth curved peripheral Wall 20. Upper precast concrete pile member 22 likewise, in this embodiment, includes a hollow interior 25. A spherical concave surface 26, substantially matching the spherical end portion 14 of the lower pile 10, is molded or formed at the lower end of pile member 22. This permits pivotal or articulated movement of the upper pile with respect to the lower pile from a position substantially shown by dotted line 28 to a position, for example, as shown in the solid line. The lower portion of the upper pile 22 is adapted with a centrally aligned opening 30 and a multiplicity of outwardly extending channels 32 which intersect with the central opening 30. A tensioning cable 34 extends longitudinally through the hollow interior 24 of the upper pile 22 through centrally aligned opening 30 and the enlarged opening 18 and centrally aligned opening 16 of the lower pile member 10. A cable anchor 36 holds the tensioning cable 34 with respect to the lower pile while a mechanically actuated wedge type anchoring system 38 is adapted to hold the tensioned cable with respect to the upper pile 22. Each of the anchors include bearing plate members 40 and 42 respectively. Before or after a particular angular displacement of the upper piling 22 with respect to the lower piling It), the operation of which will be hereinafter described, a grouting material is adapted to be placed within to fill the void space of openings 16, 18, 30 and 32 and hence provide a unitized prestressed structure. A tie frame 44 is partially shown with respect to the lower pile member 10 and acts as a stabilizer for the fixed lower pile members in order that they will maintain substantially their preset position. This is best described in FIGURES 37 inclusive.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, an additional embodiment of this invention is described. A precast concrete lower piling member 50 is formed with a substantially frustoconical and cylindrical end portion terminating with a concave recess 52. The lower piling includes a hollow interior 51 and a centrally aligned opening 54 connecting between the concave recess 52 and the hollow interior 51. An upper precast concrete piling structure 56 is formed similar to the lower piling 50, i.e., a frusto-coni-cal and cylindrical end portion with a similar concave recess 58. A central opening 60 includes outwardly disposed openings 62 which intersect and connect with the central opening 60. Between the upper and lower precast concrete pile members 50 and 56 is pivotal ball member 64, which is pivotal within the concave recesses 52 and 58 respectively. Centrally of the ball member 64, which is of precast concrete and reinforced construction, is curvilinear opening 66 which increases its diameter outwardly from the central portion 70 and forms a relatively smooth curved inner peripheral wall.

After placement of the lower piling structure in a substantially vertical position, the upper pile member 56 is pivoted with respect to the lower piling to a desired position from the vertical position as shown in the dotted line 72. Tensioning cable 74 extends longitudinally of the piling 56, across the pivotal joint and is held by lower cable anchor 76 and bearing plate 78 to the lower piling while a mechanically actuated wedge type tensioning member 80 and bearing plate 82 are adapted to retain the structure in a prestressed condition. In some instances a grouting material is used to fill the void spaces between the cable anchoring and tensioning means and hence provide a more rigid pivotal joint. A tie frame 82 is adapted to stabilize the lower pile members and maintain the structure in its determined position.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, typical marine foundations, incorporating the principles of this invention, are illustrated. Typically, each of the foundations includes a substantially vertical plumb pile Ni and a multiplicity of articulated piling constructions and 22 respectively which are held together as a unifying element by a platform 92 above the surface of the water 94. The plumb piling 90 and the vertical portions of the articulated piling 10 are adapted to be driven into the earthen formation d6 at the bottom of the ocean or lake, as the case may be. These substantially vertical members are held by a tie frame 44 or 44" so as to maintain the plumb portions of the foundation in a substantially fixed relationship with respect to undue lateral forces. Additionally, the tie frame, usually precast concrete constructed, is used as a guide or template to facilitate the positioning and driving of the piles. The platforms 92 and 92' are used for various off-shore purposes including the drilling and producing of subterranean wells.

Operation The construction of a marine foundation, of the type described herein using the articulated pile construction, occurs by first placing the pile tie frame 44, if required, upon the ocean floor as. Typically, the plumb or king piling 90 is aligned through the tie frame 44 and forced into the formation 96. The piling is either driven into the formation or forced using large weights to push the piles into the soil. The depth of such penetration is predetermined from seismic surveys or previous field tests.

The piling members 10 and 22 are preassembled and maintained in a substantially vertical position with respect to each other. The assembly is then lowered through the tie frame opening and thereafter pushed or driven by well known pile driving techniques into the subsurface formation. Within reasonable tolerance, the position of the pivotal or articulation connection is maintained above the tie frame, if such is used, or at least accessibly above the soil 96, to prevent interference with the setting or changing of the pivotal angle. The prestressing force in the articulated joint connection between the lower piling 1t) and the upper piling 22 is slackened. Piling 22 is pivoted or articulated to the desired inclination. In some instances grouting material is forced within the openings 16, 18, 30 and 32 as shown in FIGURE 1, and 54, 60, 62 and 66 as shown in FIGURE 2, immediately prior to placing prestressing tension of the cable 34 to 74 as the case may be. In some instances, a temporary above surface frame member is provided until a permanent top platform 92 or 92' is constructed. This top platform acts as a unifying element to hold together the king piling 90 and the articulated pilings 22 as an integrated structure.

Prestressing of the tensioning cables can occur in a variety of ways. In some instances merely inclining the pile will place tension stress in the structure due to natural shortening of the cable initially anchored in a vertical alignment.

In other instances stressing and occurs after the inclination of the piling. The cable 34, referring to FIGURE 1, normally runs the longitudinal length of the piling to the surface. The bearing plate 42, wedge block and wedge 38 are slipped over the cable to their position shown in the hollow portion 24 of upper piling 22. Using a jack, the cable is stressed to approximately 80% of its ultimate strength. A driving strut drives the wedge to lock the cable at the articulation. The cable is locked at the upper end to maintain the stressed condition along the longitudinal length of the pile. Thereafter, the jack and driving strut are removed.

Hence, it can be appreciated that the construction according to this invention permits simplification of the pile anchoring the cable driving technique and a more economical precast concrete marine foundation construction.

Although this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, this is not to be held as limiting. It will be apparent that many modifications and uses can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A piling for supporting a platform in a marine location comprising, a vertically disposed first substan tially hollow, longitudinal precast concrete pile member of a type to be forced into the earth, a substantially solid upper end of said first member terminating with a semispherical portion, a longitudinal opening centrally located in said end connecting said hollow portion to said semispherical portion and extending upwardly and outwardly in a curvilinear manner to intersect the external surface of said semi-spherical portion, a second substantially hollow, longitudinally precast concrete pile member, said second member including a concave recess at its lower substantially solid end within which said semi-spherical portion is positioned to permit articulate motion of said second member to a given inclined position with respect to said first member, a longitudinal opening centrally located in said lower end of said second member and extending from the hollow portion of said second member to said recess, the upper end of said second member including means to attach to said platform, a tensioned cable extending from the said upper end of said second member interiorly through said o ening at the lower end of said second member, and through said opening at the upper end of said first member, means anchoring said tensioned cable to said first member, and means anchoring said tensioned cable to said second member at a position above said longitudinal opening therein after moving said second member into said inclined position.

2. A piling according to claim 1 wherein said longitudinal opening in said second member includes a multiplicity of downwardly-outwardly extending channels from said opening to said recess.

3. A concrete piling for supporting platforms in marine locations comprising, a vertically disposed first longitudinal substantially hollow precast concrete pile member of a type to be forced into the earth with a substantially closed upper end, a concave recess in said upper end of said first member, a second longitudinal substantially hollow precast concrete pile member with a substantially closed lower end, a concave recess in said lower end of said second member, a spherical precast concrete member between and rotatable within said recesses to permit pivotal movement of said second member to a given inclined position, and interconnected openings in said first, second and spherical members receiving a tensioned cable, the opening in each of said first and second members extend-ing centrally across its respective said closed end from said hollow portion to said recess, said opening in said spherical member being curvilinear from a central smaller diameter to axially opposed larger diameters at the periphery of said spherical member, said cable extending from the upper end of said second member, means anchoring said tensioned cable in said first member and means anchoring said tensioned cable in said second member.

4. A concrete piling for supporting platforms in marine locations comprising a vertically disposed first elongated precast concrete pile member having upper and lower ends, said lower end being shaped to be forced into the earth; a second elongated precast concrete pile member having upper and lower ends; the upper end of said first elongated precast concrete member and the lower end of said second elongated precast concrete member being contoured and fitted to define an articulate ball and socket joint therebetween; an outwardly expanding opening in the end of one of said elongated precast concrete members where such member terminates in said articulate ball and socket joint; 21 tensioned cable anchored in one of said elongated precast concrete members and extending longitudinally through said opening and said articulate ball and socket joint into the other of said elongated precast concrete members; and means to anchor said tensioned cable in said other of said elongated precast concrete members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 856,713 6/07 Lovley.

6 1,272,110 7/ 18 Robinson. 2,266,383 12/41 Quintrell l75-256 2,775,095 12/56 Harris 61-53 X 2,996,887 8/61 Rice et a1. 61-53.7

FOREIGN PATENTS 943,593 5/56 Germany.

EARL J. WITMER, Primary Examl'nela WILLIAM I. MUSHAKE, JACOB L. NACKENOFF,

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Examiners. 

1. A PILING FOR SUPPORTING A PLATFORM IN A MARINE LOCATION COMPRISING, A VERTICALLY DISPOSED FIRST SUBSTANTIALLY HOLLOW, LONGITUDINAL PRECAST CONCRETE PILE MEMBER OF A TYPE TO BE FORCED INTO THE EARTH, A SUBSTANTIALLY SOLID UPPER END OF SAID FIRST MEMBER TERMINATING WITH A SEMISPHERICAL PORTION, A LONGITUDINAL OPENING CENTRALLY LOCATED IN SAID END CONNECTING SAID HOLLOW PORTION TO SAID SEMISPHERICAL PORTION AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY IN A CURVILINEAR MANNER TO INTERSECT THE EXTERNAL SURFACE OF SAID SEMI-SPHERICAL PORTION, A SECOND SUBSTANTIALLY HOLLOW, LONGITUDINALLY PRECAST CONCRETE PILE MEMBER, SAID SECOND MEMBER INCLUDING A CONCAVE RECESS AT ITS LOWER SUBSTANTIALLY SOLID END WITHIN WHICH SAID SEMI-SPHERICAL PORTION IS POSITIONED TO PERMIT ARTICULATE MOTION OF SAID SECOND MEMBER TO A GIVEN INCLINED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST MEMBER, A LONGITUDINAL OPENING CENTRALLY LOCATED IN SAID LOWER END OF SAID SECOND MEMBER AND EXTENDING FROM THE HOLLOW PORTION OF SAID SECOND MEMBER TO SAID RECESS, THE UPPER END OF SAID SECOND MEMBER INCLUDING MEANS TO ATTACH TO SAID PLATFORM, A TENSIONED CABLE EXTENDING FROM THE SAID UPPER END OF SAID SECOND MEMBER INTERIORLY THROUGH SAID OPENING AT THE LOWER END OF SAID SECOND MEMBER, AND THROUGH SAID OPENING AT THE UPPER END OF SAID FIRST MEMBER, MEANS ANCHORING SAID TENSIONED CABLE TO SAID FIRST MEMBER, AND MEANS ANCHORING SAID TENSIONED CABLE TO SAID SECOND MEMBER AT A POSITION ABOVE SAID LONGITUDINAL OPENING THEREIN AFTER MOVING SAID SECOND MEMBER INTO SAID INCLINED POSITION. 